Quick top tips on how to cope when your child starts school for the first time

Doesn't anyone else on here have a job? I don't take my DS to school, I take him to a childminder, and she takes him to school. Starbucks with the other mums? In my dreams ...

I didn't feel sad, I was quite happy that I'd done my time at home with her and now she was OFF into the world

I was very happy

I think I drew a message on her tummy in biro so she would know I was thinking of her, and gave her kisses and (imaginary) small fairies to put in her pockets - but I had been bigging school up for AGES so she was raring to go

My tip: smile crazily at everyone: the first 2 weeks are CRUCIAL at getting into the school-gate cliques

I didn't feel sad when my children started school--they were excited and I was excited for them.

I couldn't wait, though, to get them home and hear their stories of the first day. Only, of course, they didn't say much about it as they were shattered.

My 3rd and last DS started last week. This is really from a mum's perspective as he was fine and cant wait to get into school every day, literally running ahead of me to get there. I was in bits the week before. I wrote him a poem the night before he started and sobbed heart out for 4 hours (didnt give to him) Although I did still have a few tears when I dropped him off I think I got most of it out the way the night before. Luckily DH was able to come with me to carry on talking to me while I smiled like a mad woman with big dark glasses on, tears running down face all the way to the car, stifling wailing sobs. So my advice is, a letter or poem the night before to your child but for them to read sometime years ahead in the future, if feel like crying , cry (as long as DC doesnt see), and big dark glasses. Then big smile and hug for DC and off you go, turning only to wave once. Also another thing I have done with other DS was to give him something'special' and 'magical' to keep in his pocket, not to take out but to feel so that he knows mummy is thinking of him. It was a glass pebble thingey. But then I am sad, emotional crackpot of a mother.

Yeah, remember it's not compulsory to feel sad, it's better that children learn to embrace new things. If you are one of those who are relaxed about your dc starting school don't ignore the sobbing mum on your right - give her a good shake and buy her a coffee

I made a little note to give to my DD. She kept it in her pocket and could get it out and look at it if she missed me. One one side it said I love you, on the other See you soon. (The teacher said she now recommends the idea to other new parents.) At the end of the first week DD brought me one home that she'd made for me!

I remember saying to ds 'do you like so and so'.
He said 'No' and I thought ouch! a bit harsh.
Then he said 'No, I've not talked to him yet.'

So my tip, remember it takes a 4 year old a while to do their social vetting of an entire class. Don't even think about worrying about their new best mate being unsuitable or non-existant until after half term. At least.

Just get a grip. It's only school. All children go there. They learn lots of things and make lots of friends.

Also ds1 who has been the worst ever eater from day 1 - told me that for lunch he ate : bacon, sausage, mash potato, carrots, pudding, crackers, grapes and a drink. ?

Traumatic and sad ????

I have waited for this day for a loooooooooong time .

make sure you get a big wet fish and keep it in the fridge for slapping yourself around the face with while you chant 'Get a Grip!' and grin maniacally into the mirror.

will take your mind off it.

My tip would be to be organised the night before.
(Uniform laid out ready, shoes cleaned and by the door, bag packed with everything needed, early bed so child is up early and able to eat a good unhurried breakfast etc etc)

Happy relaxed parent makes a happy relaxed child.
Has only taken me 4 years of school runs to work that one out....

i think you've imagined it all, puppymonkey !

Well, generally things are my fault . It all happened straight after I posted something.

It was just a jokey comment about the Standard being three weeks too late with their story. Nothing controversial....

I need a witness, there were others on the first thread. Can't bleddy remember who though. Lotsa regulars, from what I recall...

what makes you think it was YOU that broke it though?

DD1 started school, and I was all 'wow, proud mum'.....lots of grins and made friends on our first day!

DD2 started school.....she was the original velcro baby, and she sobbed and clung while I tried to prise myself off and run.

DD3 started, and she was very shy, I was a pro....

DS1 started, my boy, he had just had his tonsils out 2wks before and boy did I cry.....

DS2 started, and I was prepared (we had had many tears from nursery, and he was the second biggest velcro baby in the world). I made sure I had money and I planned to go to my fave place in all the world, the local bookstore, and buy a new book and sit and have coffee....all alone and in peace.

and so I did

so, my tip......make a plan to do something you love to do the most without the kiddies, and go and enjoy.

I broke it I think.... don't know how or why.

what did you do to it puppymonkey?

.... there was a version of this thread that MNHQ started before, then it disappeared and was replaced by this inferior version.... I demand to know why.

What do you mean?

Don't post here - this thread is an imposter. MNHQ - you know what I'm talking about.

DS started reception last week and did his first full day today and while I felt a bit frazzled and sad about the whole experience he couldnt give two hoots

However would like advice on how to deal with the little so n so who bit him for no reason

well I expected to be really upset and tearful but wasn't wasn't exactly skipping out the school gates, mind, but it wasn;t as bad as I expected, mainly because he was so well prepared for it by the school nursery